| Fallowlees Flush | |
| Aos: | Northumberland |
| Interest: | Biological |
| Coordinates: | 55.2369°N -1.9526°W |
| Area: | 2.4ha |
| Notifydate: | 1990 |
| Enref: | 1005880 |
| Map: | DEFRA MAGIC map |
Fallowlees Flush is the name given to a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) in mid-Northumberland, England. The steeply sloping site has calcium-rich springs supporting vegetation rare in the county.[1] [2]
Fallowlees Flush is situated in the north-east of England in the county of Northumberland, to the west of Fontburn Reservoir and the east of Harwood Forest, west-north-west of Netherwitton and east-south-east of Forestburn Gate. The 2.4ha site is situated on a north-east facing slope descending from to, above sea level above a stream feeding the reservoir.[1] [2]
Flora on the site grades from species rich areas fed by lime-rich springs, through to a wooded fringe by the stream. The SSSI citation sets out four distinct groups of vegetation.[2]
Moss-donimated turf dominates areas where springs arise, and are characterised by stonewort (Charales), flea-sedge (Carex pulicaris), tawny sedge (Carex hostiana), long-stalked yellow-sedge (Carex lepidocarpa) and broad-leaved cottongrass (Eriophorum latifolium).[2]
A wider area is influenced by the springs, and in addition to the sedges and cottongrass, supports dioecious sedge (Carex dioica), marsh lousewort (Pedicularis palustris), creeping willow (Salix repens), devil's-bit scabious (Succisa pratensis), purple moor-grass (Molinia caerulea), marsh cinquefoil (Potentilla palustris), meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria), jointed rush (Juncus articulatus) as well as common butterwort (Pinguicula vulgaris), grass-of-Parnassus (Parnassia palustris), marsh valerian (Valeriana dioica), and early marsh-orchid (Dactylorhiza incarnata).[2]
More acidic areas of the site support water plants such as oval sedge (Carex leporina) and star sedge (Carex echinata), as well as greater amounts of jointed rush.[2]
Woodland areas by the stream are composed of alder (Alnus glutinosa), downy birch (Betula pubescens) and hazel (Corylus avellana). Ground flora in the woodland area includes tufted hair-grass (Deschampsia cespitosa), water avens (Geum rivale), wood crane’s-bill (Geranium sylvaticum) and a substantial stand of lesser pond-sedge (Carex acutiformis).[2]
The condition of Fallowlees Flush was judged to be favourable in 2011, with some concerns about bracken encroachment noted.[3]